BALTIMORE—The new extra-inning rule is providing exciting finishes for the Orioles.
Trailing by a run in the bottom of the 10th, the Orioles scored two in the bottom of the inning to win it, breaking their six-game losing streak with a 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox Saturday night at Camden Yards. It was their third win in four extra-inning games.
Rio Ruiz was the runner on second to begin the bottom of the 10th. Cedric Mullins dropped an excellent bunt on the first base side and Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland, a left-hander, tried to throw out Ruiz at third. The throw was late, and the Orioles had two baserunners and no outs.
Boston reliever Matt Barnes threw a wild pitch on a breaking ball to score Ruiz with the tying run. Hanser Alberto, after swinging at a pitch that was neck high, battled back in the count and delivered an infield single. Anthony Santander, who hit a game-tying two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, was walked intentionally to load the bases.
After Anthony Velázquez was called out on strikes, Boston manager Ron Roenicke summoned centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to play second base as the fifth infielder.
Severino lined a ball to center to score Mullins with the winning run. The Orioles slipped on social distancing in their celebration, although they mostly were bumping shoulders with Severino, including one from Santander that knocked him down.
“I’ve seen that position before, the five guys in the infield, and the only thing in my mind was, just hit the ball on the barrel and see where it’s going,” Severino said in a video conference call.
The win puts the Orioles at 13-14.
“We chased that one a little bit, knowing that we have an offday Monday,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “I felt like our guys really needed to celebrate tonight.”
Hyde was referring to his bullpen rotation. He used Tanner Scott, Mychal Givens and Cole Sulser for 3 2/3 hitless innings until the 10th.
Miguel Castro, who recorded the final two outs with the bases loaded in the top of the 10th, got the win.
Red Sox leftfielder Alex Verdugo, who made the final out of the ninth, was placed on second to begin the 10th. Sulser, who pitched a perfect ninth, struck out Rafael Devers. He then walked J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and, finally, Moreland, which brought Verdugo home with the go-ahead run.
Hyde said that he stayed with Sulser because of his effectiveness against left-handed hitters.
“I’d rather have Sulser on Moreland than Castro on Moreland just from a splits standpoint,” Hyde said. “Just because Sulser is so good on left-handers, not knowing he was going to walk two guys in front. He lost command there.”
Pat Valaika gave the Orioles an early 1-0 lead when he hit his third home run in the last three games in the second against Martin Pérez
The Orioles had a chance to add on in the fourth when Renato Núñez doubled with one out, Severino struck out, and Valaika singled to left. Inexplicably, third base coach Jose Flores sent Núñez, who was easily thrown out at home to end the inning.
Orioles starter Alex Cobb allowed three hits in four scoreless innings. In the fifth, Bradley hit his first home run to tie it at 1. José Peraza and Verdugo hit back-to-back doubles, and Boston led, 2-1.
Cobb, healthy and productive again after last season’s hip and knee surgery, allowed two runs on six hits in five innings. He could be a coveted piece for clubs looking for a starter as the August 31 deadline approaches.
“The first three or four innings, I felt all right,” Cobb said. “The whole game I was fighting myself. The offspeed pitches weren’t biting too well and my fastball didn’t really have much life to it. It’s one of those games where you’re just trying to grind through it.”
It was the second time Cobb was the starter in a game the Orioles won in extra innings.
“Extremely exciting when you’re coming off a six-game losing streak,” Cobb said. “Any type of win is going to be exciting now. It was one of those days where you had to force a win out.”
Orioles reliever Shawn Armstrong walked Moreland with one out in the sixth. Christian Vazquez singled Moreland to third, and he scored on Kevin Pillar’s infield single to give Boston a 3-1 lead.
Hyde gave Ramón Urias his first start at second base. He played well in the field and had his first major league hit on a leadoff single in the third.
With one out in the seventh, Severino singled and Valaika walked. Ryan Mountcastle’s dribbler to Pérez moved the runners up, and they stayed there as Bryan Holaday popped to right.
Pérez gave up a run on five hits in seven innings.
Alberto walked with two outs against Red Sox left-handed reliever Josh Taylor, and Santander homered to left, his 10th of the season. It tied the score at 3 and extended his major league-leading hitting streak to 17 games. Santander turned on an inside fastball from Taylor and drove it 426 feet.
Mountcastle’s first major league hit didn’t travel that far. It was a slow roller to third base with two outs in the ninth. He nearly had his first hit on a drive to right leading off the fifth inning, but Pillar leaped in front of the right field wall to catch it.
After Mountcastle’s single, Chance Sisco walked, and Ruiz struck out, sending the game to extra innings.
Yusniel Diaz impresses: Outfielder Yusniel Diaz, who is at the alternate site at Bowie, is another player who has intrigued executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias.
“He looks really good, both offensively and defensively,” Elias said in a pregame video conference call on Saturday. “He’s got a great work ethic. His attitude and the energy have been really good every day. Just like Mountcastle did, he’s seeing a lot of really tough pitching, but the performance has been there.
“He’s really close. He’d be a guy, too who’d be at Triple-A for the first time now. He would have been there last year had he not strained his leg. It’s a shame that he’s not getting that experience. He’s not on our 40-man roster yet, so that is something of a consideration when you look at a guy like him. I continue to be excited about him.”
Elias on trade deadline: Elias isn’t making any predictions on the August 31st trade deadline.
“We’re not going to sell to just sell and get more prospects,” Elias said. “But we’re not going to hold on to every single person on the team just because we’re close to a .500 team right now.
“We’re going to look at everything on a case-to-case basis.”
Harvey’s outlook: It’s possible that Hunter Harvey, who has yet to pitch this season, could be activated on the road trip to Tampa Bay and Buffalo that begins Tuesday. Harvey has a right forearm strain.
“He threw really well [Friday],” Elias said. Harvey threw live batting practice.
“The next stop for me will be doing some sim games, not too much of a difference between those two things. We’ve got a full-game environment going on at Bowie, and he’ll do that next. If he feels great, we’re hoping that maybe he’s on the team before the month is over.”
Versatility is the key: Hyde appreciates versatility, and his having Severino and Sisco take ground balls at first base on days they don’t catch. The Orioles don’t have a first baseman that hits left-handed with Chris Davis on the injured list.
“That’s not to have a left-handed hitting first baseman,” Hyde said. “Just to add versatility to them and to create more opportunities to get them in the lineup, not only for us, but for their personal careers also.
“It’s important to be able go somewhere else. You see guys like J.T. Realmuto, Buster Posey. Those guys will shoot over to first base because it keeps their bat in the lineup, and I think Chance and Sevy are along those lines. We’re trying to get them some experience over in case we need to …i t’s always nice from a club standpoint to be able to have a guy play more than one position.”
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This is so great to hear about Diaz. Also great to hear Chance and Sevy playing first. I still say Mancini is the everyday first baseman next year he should make a full recovery and I feel he should be the team leader. Trading him would be a downer. It’s great hearing from Elias now I see we are on the same page. Just wish he wouldn’t side step the Davis issue but I guess it’s a delicate thing not to piss him off and hope he realizes that embarrassing himself and hurting the team is not something he wants to do for two and and quarter more years. It’s also great seeing real outfielders in the outfield and Valaika playing like a super sub. From a offensive point of view this team is almost right there obviously not with the starting pitching. If there was a all star game Santander would start in right next to Trout that sounds real good.
Couple things, come out & say it, Sevy & Sisco can play first, it makes them even more marketable, Cobbs mental toughness comes into play again, same MO, gives up 1st HR to Bradley (not Judge), & loses his composure, I think back to back doubles, all balls were rockets, he could be traded, I wouldn’t shed any tears, but I don’t think we get anything back for him, Scott out of the bullpen looks unconscious right now, probably the most value but I definitely would hang on to him, he’s got a great attitude (maturity?) now...go O’s...
I hope they don’t trade Severino , Chance is not being traded. Cobb is not a number one starter never was but he’s the best of the worst right now
What is the problem with 3rd Base Coach Jose Flores ?
Too many Orioles are getting thrown out at the plate for my liking.
I find it encouraging that for the 1st time, he finally seems to being paying attention to the mother club in the present tense. I'm wondering if this is simply a result of the lack of minor league teams this year? Regardless ... I'll take it!
Was thinking the same thing last night when he sent Nunez home. He was out by a mile.
Sounds like he’s priming things to move some veterans in trades and move up some prospects.. good!
Why is everybody so down on Cobb? And I think he's a number one starter on a LOT of major league teams ... when he's healthy. Sure he's giving up some taters, but let's not forget in which park he's playing. Ask Dylan Bundy about that ....
One question for you Rich .. or anyone that knows for that matter ... but why doesn't Cedric the Centerfielder get credit for a base hit on that Belanger-esk bunt last night ? I understand that the intention was a sacrifice ... and I understand that the play went to 3rd ... but to me, it looked very questionable as to whether or not a play could have been made at 1st to begin with? Is it simply considered it a fielders choice (albeit a bad choice)? Does not the official scorer have any leeway with the decision? What's the dealio?
IMO ... that was a bunt for a base hit regardless of intent.
Nothing personal, never cared for Cobb in Tampa & don’t here, honestly think he’s very overrated, but I respect your opinion & how you go about defending it...not like some others...lol...go O’s...
Ken, a scorer isn’t supposed to judge a player’s abilities when making a call. If Sisco or Mullins makes the play, it should be the same call. Fielders choice was the correct call.
Thanks for answering Rich.
I'm still a bit confused (no jokes please), but if I understand you correctly, it's strictly because the throw went to 3rd and no attempt was made to get the hitter out at 1st. Ergo the FC ruling. Is that correct?
In any case ... it's refreshing to see a modern day player that can bunt like he can. Fun to watch IMO.
Ken, a fielder's choice is a play in which an infielder attempts to make a play at a base other than first base on a ground ball. That's what happened.
Glad to see some folks here beginning to acknowledge that Elias knows what he is doing, and seems to have the O's on course to be a seriously competitive team within the next couple of years ... As for the Davis situation, I think its probably the one personnel matter where Elias doesn't have full autonomy to act, and has to wait for approval by ownership. I can't imagine that, if it was left entirely up to Elias, he wouldn't want to cut Davis loose.
Love hearing these versatility plans(Savy,Sisco)--but 1st base? How many 1st basemen do the O's need? How about a shot at 3rd(Bench,Torre)? Great to hear an encouraging report on the enigma known as Yusniel Diaz. Looking ahead to 2021 and hoping Mancini will be capable but what a 1st base/DH log jam we may be facing. As much as we're pushing Mountcastle in LF his future really lies at 1B/DH. Unsung hero so far--Valaika. Nice little utility player with some pop. Last night was vintage Castro. Hyde was petrified about using him in the 10th after watching him give up 3 run bombs. So out of desperation Hyde swallows his fear brings him in,and the rest is ironic history. There lies the "puzzle" of Castro--when you need him he tanks,when you've lost all faith he comes through. A manager's headache.
Obviously, Sisco having another position to play is key for him being in the lineup on a regular basis. He's probably never going to be your lead catcher. But I think the book on Sisco is that he doesn't have the arm for 3rd base ... same as Mountcastle.
Agree about Valaika. Nice player to have. I've said it before, but he seems to have the clutch gene.
Let's get Sisco some work at 2B in the off season; 3B would be great, but agree about the arm.
I've heard others talk about 2b as a possibility for him.
Someone mentioned in the last week about our infielders having issues in the exchange between globe & hand, Alberto seemed to have the issue again early, 1st or 2nd inning, they still turned two, but maybe should be something they work on...go O’s...
Glove...lol...go O’s...
Someone please remind me - Why in the world did we move Yaz2, who's looking pretty darn good in SF these days...
Whiffed on that one didn't we? Maybe if they had used the MLB baseball at AAA a year earlier than they did, he'd still be an Oriole today.
Hindsight 'eh?
It's 2020
He played well in SF during 2019 as well ... just saying.
Just responding more clearly to original "question" - Hindsight is 2020. However, there were several regulars on the site, I thought including you and me, that didn't think that the O's had given Yaz2 a long enough look before he was released.
I was already rooting for him and wish he had been given a shot at the big club .. certainly. But I can understand the club letting him go considering he had sooo many minor league seasons without ever really distinguishing himself. But yes, he could have been given a shot. Not sure what he would have done, but the move to the west coast has done him well personally.
If I remember correctly we got nothing for him, put him on waivers & SF grabbed him, I believe he is currently leading OFers in WAR this season...go O’s...
Ouch. But good for him. Another Vanderbilt man making good.
Yaz2 was traded to the Giants for Tyler Herb. So, yes, the O's basically got nothing in return.
No, Ray, you don't remember correctly.
Yastrzemski was never on the 40-man roster--that's why he had been available in the Rule 5 draft the previous three years--so he didn't need to be put on waivers.
As I explained to the previous reader, the Orioles simply had too many outfielders. They got a minor league pitcher for him, Tyler Herb.
I've explained it to readers countless times. Yes, the Orioles would love to have not made the move, but no one thought this would happen.
Wishing that they had not made the Yaz trade might be a moot point. It certainly seems possible that his blossoming was the result of physical changes suggested by the Giants' batting coaches and the psychological effect of being in a new environment. He might have languished in the Os' system forever. I don't think there is any other professional sport that has as many instances of players dramatically improving when they go to a new team, e.g. Alberto. It would not surprise me at all if CD's batting talent came back to life on another team.
I assume you're relatively new to the site, so welcome, and feel free to ask a question anytime.
Yastrzemski was moved because the Orioles had a plethora of young outfielders--Austin Hays, Anthony Santander, DJ Stewart, Yusniel Diaz, Ryn McKenna and Cedric Mullins--all of whom had performed better than Mike Yastrzemski in the minor leagues. In 2018, Yastrzemski hit .202 for Bowie, and it was his sixth year in the minor leagues. The Orioles lost 115 games that season, and Dan Duquette, Mike Elias' predecessor, didn't think Yastrzemski was good enough to help the Orioles.
Mike Yastrzemski was exposed to the Rule 5 draft three times--and no one--including the Giants took him.
Of course, the Orioles would like to have that move back, but at the time, there was no good reason to believe Mike, who's a terrific young man, would blossom the way he has.
You said we had no potential 3rd guys in the minors, a glut of OFers, would have been nice to draft the 2nd rated player who was at 3rd instead of another OF in the last draft, I already saw where I was corrected, wayyy before you noticed...go O’s...
2 pitches, lead off HR, why is LeBlanc (era 7.29 before HR) still pitching, bring up the youngens, any of them...go O’s...
LeBlanc is nothing more than a BP pitcher at this point. It's time to bring back Akin and promote Kremer and Zimmerman.
Will agree 100%....go O’s...
Lead off doubles in both 1st & 2nd innings & cant score, come on fellas...go O’s...
Would Austin Martin have potentially been the missing 3B the O’s need? Especially with the glut of OF we have now...go O’s...
Only time is going to tell on that one. The bigger question is are the high schoolers signed in the later rounds (3-5?) with the money saved going to work out?
Do you think next yrs draft will mirror this yrs as far as # of rds go? ...go O’s...
I hope you're not asking me. I have no idea, but I do think MLB is trying to cut the number of rounds down for future years as well?
Far too early to tell.
Colby Mayo is a big third baseman from HS near where I live. Elias did not address where Diaz would play just said he’s close to bring here. Drafting Martin would have to me made more sense instead of another outfielder . I thought it was a money move
Wasn’t directed at anyone in particular, wasn’t sure if the info was out yet, I just knew I hadn’t seen or heard anything yet...go O’s...
What happened to Severino we can’t afford to lose him
Tightness in his groin running to 1st, they made it sound like it was more precautionary than anything...go O’s...
I understand there will be no Allstar game. However, will there be any recognition to the top players from each team? I find it unfortunate that Santander won't be rewarded for his allstar season.
There is a Most Valuable Oriole award, and I assume it will still be awarded this season. There's also the MVP award, which will still be given.